WILMSLOW’s workforce was dealt a blow this week after two major employers announced job cuts.

AstraZeneca and Cheshire Building Society both confirmed they would be axing members of staff to survive the economic downturn.

The drug giant is to cull 6,000 employees worldwide – across all areas of the business – and could not rule out losses at its Alderley Park site.

The Macclesfield site has already seen 700 cuts in 2007, and another 250 in November last year.

AstraZeneca will see a grand total of 15,000 jobs lost globally in the next five years.

The Cheshire, which employs 628 people across the business, will shed "less than 20" at its headquarters as a result of its shock merger with the Nationwide.

The announcement of who and how many will be made redundant is expected at the end of the month, following a consultation period.

A spokesman for the Nationwide said: "To create efficiencies across the businesses there will be some job losses across both organisations. We will do all we can to minimise redundancies and will look to potential redeployment opportunities across the Nationwide Group for those who may be affected. Where this is not possible, we will support employees in seeking alternative careers."

The Cheshire officially merged in December 2008, creating the world’s largest building society, only weeks after "15 to 20" jobs were slashed from its Macclesfield, bringing the total in the past few months to around 40.

John Lamond, chief executive of Macclesfield Chamber of Commerce – the body which represents the interests of businesses in the area – said: "This is just indicative of the fact that this is a global problem, and as far as Macclesfield is concerned, we are doing what we can to help our members and others who will be coming out of these companies (into unemployment).

"We are working closely with the Job Centre, and we have people involved in HR who can help with placement services."

A spokeswoman for AstraZeneca confirmed: "We confirmed to investors a further reduction of 6,000 positions globally by 2013. Combined with the programme announced in 2007 and the update in November 2008, these actions will deliver cost savings of $2.5bn per annum, at a total cost of $2.9bn, with 15,000 roles affected over the five year period."There are no details regarding geographical implications of these changes."